Hello my lovelies, it's your favourite pink tutu wearing, time travelling ballerina blogger, Emma, back with another thrilling glimpse into the fascinating world of leotard fashion! This month, my magical pink leotard has whisked me back to August 8th, 1869. As I always say, my aim in life is to get everyone rocking a pink tutu - and it’s pretty clear this aim doesn’t have a time limit!
But first, a quick update on the street ballet scene here in Derbyshire. You won’t believe the fantastic performance I had last week in Matlock Bath! We were right next to the River Derwent, the sunlight was absolutely dazzling, and the tourists just loved my pirouettes and jetés! My sparkling pink leotard was truly catching the light, I could practically hear the gasps of admiration!
And of course, to keep the time travelling going strong, I need your help! Every penny I raise from those street ballet performances contributes to the upkeep of my sparkling leotard and fuels my passion for leotard history! I'll have the "Buy Me a Ballet" link at the end of this post - you can get your pink tutu-themed merch there too. Don't forget to give my little leotard-obsessed shop a browse, it's got the most fabulous designs you'll ever see, darling!
Okay, back to my time travelling shenanigans. You’ll never guess what I discovered in 1869. This year marks a truly remarkable time for the evolution of the leotard, a time of invention, artistry, and dare I say it… sheer excitement!
I popped into a rather swanky department store in London, and it was like stepping straight onto a fashion-forward stage. I saw a display of absolutely exquisite leotards that made me swoon. Yes, we are talking leotards – the garments that would eventually define a dancer's form, and which I, personally, adore in their glorious pink-tutu-fied state!
In the 1860s, the world was seeing a surge in popularity of ballet, especially the ‘en pointe’ style which made leaps and bounds a regular feature on stage! This meant that dancers were increasingly focused on having streamlined, flexible garments that could enhance their movement.
But here's the kicker. In 1869, the world wasn't quite there yet with leotards like we see today, with the figure-hugging designs, sleek cuts, and stunning fabrications. But there were incredible, almost ‘proto-leotard’ outfits that would later become the leotards we now know and love!
Leotard Pioneers: What Were Dancers Wearing in 1869?
First, let's talk about the dance outfits themselves. Picture it – flowing, elaborate fabrics, skirts reaching to the ankles (imagine all that fabric getting caught in the ballerina's feet during the big finalé!). There was no such thing as a full leotard! Dancers of the day would have been wearing outfits similar to this:
- Bodice: You know that figure-hugging, ‘Victorian-era-corset’ look that defined that era? Think high collars, sometimes with sleeves that are just a little longer than the shoulders, sometimes with flowing cuffs! A dance bodice was like this but a little less constricting – no boning or overly tight corsets, but a bodice for sure. Often made with elegant velvet or silky materials with exquisite details such as satin ribbon trim or even tiny beads sewn into intricate patterns. Think… almost leotard, but just a bit more "Victorian lady of the stage"!
- Skirts: Now, this is where things get interesting. The skirts, in the mid-1860s, were absolutely huge. think crinoline skirts, full, puffy, but often with elegant details such as tulle or even velvet at the lower layers of the skirt to give it some beautiful movement during pirouettes and jumps.
It's these ‘proto-leotards’ that captivated me. They are not your standard ballet leotard in terms of fit and function – we're still a few years away from a fitted, body-conscious style.
Why The Proto-Leotard?
And it makes sense, if you think about it! In those days, the movement of ballet was quite different – they used a different style, with graceful movements instead of the high leaps we know now. The skirts flowed gracefully, adding an element of whimsy, making the dancers’ movement seem like floating or soaring, almost ethereal. It really made me want to step back in time, maybe even add some tulle to my pink tutu and have a little fun with my own ballet choreography.
The Rise of Fashion: Leotard's First Fashionable Steps
There was also a huge push for "the look". Victorian style emphasized high-fashion in an opulent way. Women were fascinated by style, and dance fashion embraced this fully – elaborate dance outfits meant luxurious materials, embellishment, and, as always, colours galore! And of course, the leotard was quickly seen as the best choice of dress, for dancers on and off the stage!
Now, back to my trip through time, specifically my stop at that London department store… it wasn’t all fancy costumes, darling! I even found some leotards that were starting to emerge from those ‘proto-leotard’ garments, becoming more form-fitting. There were leotards with longer legs that went beyond the hip-line (a real evolution in itself!) and others made with satin or even velvet, giving them a lovely silky drape that would have allowed for a freer, less constrained style of movement!
They even had tights. It was just beginning! No one is talking nylon back then! Instead, these were more likely to be thick, knit stockings – or even socks! It’s all so much different, isn't it, but as a pink tutu aficionado, I'm totally here for this style. Imagine tights made of knitted wool - cozy!
And guess what else I saw in this fabulous London store! You might not believe me, but they had the beginning of the very leotard that defines dance style today… a fitted, sleeveless dance garment with a scoop neck that gave a more contemporary feel than a corseted bodice and skirts. It's so exciting to think that even back in 1869, leotard style was taking such amazing leaps! It feels like a secret to me, just us time-travelling ballet fanatics!
Leotard Evolution: A Fashionable Revolution!
What this all tells us, my darlings, is that in the world of ballet fashion, 1869 is truly an important year. In a mere few years, we’ll see dance styles embracing tighter-fitting, more form-fitting garments! This would eventually pave the way for the classic, modern leotards we love today! Who knows what amazing changes are coming next for dancewear?!
Well, my little angels, time travel has caught up to me, it's time to go! I will see you again on the 8th of September! Make sure you’re all rocking those tutus in pink for a stylish performance… in time, even our friends from the past will be loving our little pink fashion statement.
Catch you later darlings,
Emma xxx
*P.S. If you'd like to contribute to my ballet and leotard-travel fund, here's the link: (your website/platform) And if you're thinking of joining the "Buy me a Tutu" fund for your next amazing purchase – click here for a huge range of colours and designs to get your pink on: (your website/platform) *
